mission
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mission
A specific, often difficult assignment or task given to a person or group. Frequently used in military, political, or scientific contexts.
Die Astronauten bereiten sich auf ihre Mission zum Mars vor.
The astronauts are preparing for their mission to Mars.
'Mission' is often combined with certain verbs that describe the start, execution, or end. Typical verbs are 'eine Mission haben' (to have a mission), 'eine Mission beginnen' (to begin a mission), 'eine Mission erfüllen' (to complete / fulfill a mission), or 'eine Mission abbrechen' (to abort a mission).
Die Spezialisten haben den Auftrag, eine gefährliche Mission zu erfüllen.
The specialists have the task of carrying out a dangerous mission.
This meaning is often used in the context of the military, space travel, research, or espionage. Typical adjectives are 'geheim' (secret), 'wissenschaftlich' (scientific), or 'gefährlich' (dangerous).
Die Agentin wurde auf eine geheime Mission nach Moskau geschickt.
The agent was sent on a secret mission to Moscow.
In this meaning, 'Mission' refers to a group with a specific goal. You can recognize it from compounds like 'Hilfsmission' (aid mission) or 'Friedensmission' (peacekeeping mission) and adjectives like 'humanitär' (humanitarian) or 'religiös' (religious).
Die Ärzte arbeiteten im Rahmen einer humanitären Mission in der Krisenregion.
The doctors worked as part of a humanitarian mission in the crisis region.
The meaning 'personal calling' is almost always used in the fixed expression 'sich etwas zur Mission machen' (to make something one's mission). The person is in the dative, and the task is in the accusative.
Er hat es sich zur Mission gemacht, alte Handwerkstechniken zu bewahren.
He has made it his mission to preserve old craft techniques.
goal / destination / target
'das Ziel' and 'die Mission' can both describe something that someone wants to achieve or complete. 'das Ziel' is more general: it is about a desired result, for example at work, in learning, or in sports. 'die Mission' sounds more like a special assignment or a task that is important and often difficult. 'Mission' is also used when someone takes a goal very seriously and sees it almost as their life’s work. In everyday language, 'Ziel' usually sounds more natural; 'Mission' fits better when the task sounds bigger, more special, or more solemn.
Die Mission des Teams ist es, die kranken Kinder schnell zu versorgen.
The team’s mission is to provide quick care for the sick children.
Mein Ziel ist es, bis zum Sommer besser Deutsch zu sprechen.
My goal is to speak better German by summer.